ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
55th International Gathering of Children of Europe “Joy of Europe” is taking place in Belgrade, Serbia, from 1st to 6th October 2024. “Joy of Europe” is the biggest and oldest festival of children’s creativity. The Belgrade City Administration is the founder and general sponsor of the International Gathering of Children of Europe, with the Children’s Cultural Centre Belgrade as its executive producer. The “Joy of Europe” festival has the EFFE label of quality, granted by the European Commission.
The idea of establishing “Joy of Europe” was born back in 1968 after a performance of the Swedish Boy Choir in Belgrade. Every year since then the festival has aimed to bring together children from across Europe through song and dance by showcasing their own culture and customs, as well as artwork at the International Art Competition.
The greatest and the most interesting fact regarding this festival is that the children are accommodated in families of their peers from Belgrade schools (one child per family), since the essential goal of this event is the development of long-lasting friendships, socializing and intercultural learning through experience.
Children from Belgrade elementary schools are hosting this year young ambassadors from twelve countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Hungary, Germany, Poland, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Czech Republic and children from Africa, Namibia. Serbian children will also present their skills and tradition.
Participants of the festival, and all interested children and general public as well, will be able to participate or attend programs such as the exhibition of the XXVI International Art Competition, the traditional carnival through the city centre, the Gala concert at the MTS Hall, the “Friendship Gathering” concerts in the “Donka Špiček” Hall at the Children’s Cultural Centre Belgrade and an eco-activity supported by “Zelenilo-Beograd”.
ABOUT THE SLOGAN
HOW THE MIND GROWS is the slogan of the 55th International Gathering of the Children of Europe “Joy of Europe” and this choice serves to honour the 50th anniversary of the first publication of Budimir Nešić’s renowned book of the same title.
Budimir Nešić was a Serbian psychologist, and a writer, who devoted his professional career to children. We are proud to say that he spent a significant part of his career at Dom Pionira (today known as the Children’s Cultural Centre Belgrade) and the Center for Social Work in Zemun. Alongside his work with children and parents as a psychologist, he excelled as a songwriter, aphorist, author of children’s books and scripts, and co-author of the renowned books “A Pen Writes with its Heart” and “Greet Someone”, which is why his works were brought to life on stage, screen and as music composed for children.
The book “How the Mind Grows” depicts the distinctive originality of children’s perspectives through a series of statements, thoughts and answers gathered from his work and interaction with children. This year, we wonder how children perceive the world, what inspires them, how they grow and develop, what is the world they mature in like, to what extent adults comprehend them and whether “the smartness grows” the same way, or differently, 50 years later.
P R O G R A M
Wednesday, October 2nd
10.30
GALA RECEPTION
Reception of participants at The House of National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia
12.00
CARNIVAL
Parade from Republic Square to Kalemegdan Park
12.30
OPENING CEREMONY
Kalemegdan, Court of the Basketball Club Partizan
16.00-19.00
XXVI INTERNATIONAL ART COMPETITION “JOY OF EUROPE”
Art gathering, Grand opening and Award ceremony
Gallery and the Small Hall of the Children’s Cultural Centre Belgrade
Thursday, October 3rd
18.00
GALA CONCERT
MTS Concert Hall
Friday, October 4th
“FRIENDSHIP GATHERING” CONCERTS
“Donka Špiček” Hall,
Children’s Cultural Centre Belgrade
10.00
I Concert
Participants: Children from Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, Namibia, Poland,
Serbia and Slovakia
13.30
II Concert
Participants: Children from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Germany,
North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia
Saturday, October 5th
10.00
ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITY AND SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
The Ušće Park
